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These metaphysics of magiciansAnd necromantic books are heavenly;Lines, circles, scenes, letters, and characters,Ay, these are those that Faustus most desires.O what a world of profit and delight,Of power, of honour, of omnipotenceIs promised to the studious artisan!All things that move between the quiet polesShall be at my command. Emperor and kingsAre but obeyed in their several provinces,Nor can they raise the wind or rend the clouds;But his dominion that exceeds in thisStretcheth as far as doth the mind of man.A sound magician is a mighty god

Character History

Bertrum moved to Totleigh Towers in Gloucester to live with and be raised by his aunt at a very young age, the fate of his Ministry-employed parents, Maurice and Millicent Holmwood unknown. The Holmwoods, being of pureblood but consisting of few and scattered individuals, were socially quite quiet. That left Bertrum to entertain himself rather than socialize with children his own age. Older and far distant cousins were his only companions, and they only visited on the rarest of occasions.

Upon arriving at Hogwarts, Bertrum was sorted into Slytherin given his appetite for knowledge despite the price of attaining it. His lack of a social education beyond aristocratic manners made him shy in his first year, and he spent many a night sitting up in bed with various magazines in an effort to sort out the mystery of social interaction. These late night study sessions held within the confines of Bertrum's bed curtains paid off, and he was much better off by the time the Christmas holiday came and went.

The years have practically flown by since. Bertrum has excelled in most of his classes, though poor grades in subjects that call for a more hands-on approach keep him from being near the top of his year. Still, he is regarded by most to be a somewhat quiet but not disagreeable chap.

It's never good for a child when his parents see fit to get themselves blown up in such a way that their young offspring can know the details. Bertrum Holmwood wasn't that lucky. His parents, Maurice and Millicent Holmwood, simply did not return to their cottage outside of Bath one evening, and due to the secretive nature of their work as spell researchers sanctioned by the Ministry of Magic, their only survivors, Bertrum and his aunt, Dahlia Holmwood, were simply told it was a “tragic accident.” Perhaps the only thing that saved Bertrum from perhaps incalculable woe is the fact that he only just begun to walk when it happened. Truth be told, the particulars concerning his parents' end was only briefly investigated by Bertrum when he was older, and he remains satisfied in thinking that they were the victims of potions or transfigurations gone wrong.

Considering this ominous beginning, Bertrum's life up until his years at Hogwarts were quite pleasant. He moved to Gloucester to live with and be raised by his aunt, and due to the fact she hadn't brought up a child since his father, could be described as being a bit out of practice. Bertrum was disciplined when needed and schooled appropriately (though in a rather draconian manner) in manners and the like, but otherwise left to his own devices. The Holmwoods, being of pureblood but consisting of few and scattered individuals, were socially quite quiet. That left Bertrum to entertain himself rather than socialize with children his own age. Older and far distant cousins were his only companions, and they only visited on the rarest of occasions.

In all of Dahlia Holmwood's estate tucked into the woods of Gloucester, Bertrum was most entertained by books. He read extensively, and was hardly discriminating when it came to titles and subject manner. Bertrum developed and insatiable desire for knowledge, and was proven sacrifice sleep and food to attain it. In an attempt to better socialize her charge, Dahlia banned Bertrum from the library at the age of eight. Young Bertie's response was to deny food or rest, and kept a day's vigil outside the doors of the room, ignoring his cousin's pleas and taunts. When she finally broke down and opened the doors, Bertrum went back to his books before taking any of the food his aunt had brought for him out of panicked desperation.

At Hogwarts, that drive for knowledge landed Bertrum in Slytherin rather than Ravenclaw. While intelligent and clever, the Sorting Hat could see that there could never be a price tag too high on information for the young boy. Bertrum's knowledge base, gleaned from ink and paper rather than practical experience or application, was broadened. The notion of a proper school thrilled him, but there as much to learn outside of class as there was in it. But Bertrum's lack of a social education beyond aristocratic manners made him shy in his first year, and he spent many a night sitting up in bed with various magazines in an effort to sort out the mystery of social interaction. These late night study sessions held within the confines of Bertrum's bed curtains paid off, and he was much better off by the time the Christmas holiday came and went.

The years have practically flown by since. Bertrum has excelled in most of his classes, though poor grades in subjects that call for a more hands-on approach keep him from being near the top of his year. Still, he is regarded by most to be a somewhat quiet but not disagreeable chap.

Personality

Mature beyond his years, Berturm is the product of a perhaps unhealthy urge to know everything about the world around him. He finds many things that boys his age enjoy to be tedious, but will nonetheless indulge in them if it is called for. He is polite and well-liked by his professors, though his tendency to over-think and over-analyze basic wand movements or other simple tasks has caused aggravation in the past. When enticed by a field or subject matter, Bertrum will immerse himself in it until he feels has has exhausted it or something else catches his fancy. Oddly enough, Bertrum hates his given name and much prefers to be called Bertie. He is immaculate in his dress and hygiene, and considers untidiness to be an unfortunate and deplorable condition. Unwavery politeness regardless of House seperates him from some of his fellow Slytherins, as the only things that truly annoy Bertrum are idleness, stagnation, and ignorance.

Other Information

Descriptions

Base: Still teetering somewhat on that cusp between boyhood and manhood, Bertrum's features still retain a childish quality even as his jaw squares and he begins to build lean muscle. He is a bit tall for his age, standing at 1.76 meters, and he isn't exactly thin. His blond-brown hair is kept stylishly short, and his eyes are a rich brown.

Casual: Even outside of his uniform, Bertrum's clothing is well kept and of fine quality. His jeans are dark and crisp, breaking easily over a pair of leather sneakers that are the exact brown of his belt. The sleeves of his white, long-sleeved undershirt are pushed up to his elbows, and the t-shirt layered on top is a deep, forest green.

Memorable Quotes:

"I believe they have what might clear up that sort of thing in the shop behind you." (To Cho Chang)

Trivia and Notes:

Bertrum hates his given name, but it would take a lot to get him to point it out to an offender.